The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to ponder the difficulties through which we are prepared to maintain the faith, hope, and charity with which we have been gifted by God.
The reading from the Second Book of Maccabees describes the Martyrdom of Seven Brothers.
* [7:9] The King of the universe will raise us up: here, and in vv. 11, 14, 23, 29, 36, belief in the future resurrection of the body, at least for the just, is clearly stated; cf. also 12:44; 14:46; Dn 12:2. (2 Maccabees, CHAPTER 7, n.d.)
Psalm 17 is a prayer for Deliverance from Persecutors
* [Psalm 17] A lament of an individual unjustly attacked. Confident of being found innocent, the psalmist cries out for God’s just judgment (Ps 17:1–5) and requests divine help against enemies (Ps 17:6–9a). Those ravenous lions (Ps 17:9b–12) should be punished (Ps 17:13–14). The Psalm ends with a serene statement of praise (Ps 17:15). The Hebrew text of Ps 17:3–4, 14 is uncertain. (Psalms, PSALM 17, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Ten Pounds.
* [19:11–27] In this parable Luke has combined two originally distinct parables: (1) a parable about the conduct of faithful and productive servants (Lk 19:13, 15b–26) and (2) a parable about a rejected king (Lk 19:12, 14–15a, 27). The story about the conduct of servants occurs in another form in Mt 25:14–20. The story about the rejected king may have originated with a contemporary historical event. After the death of Herod the Great, his son Archelaus traveled to Rome to receive the title of king. A delegation of Jews appeared in Rome before Caesar Augustus to oppose the request of Archelaus. Although not given the title of king, Archelaus was made ruler over Judea and Samaria. As the story is used by Luke, however, it furnishes a correction to the expectation of the imminent end of the age and of the establishment of the kingdom in Jerusalem (Lk 19:11). Jesus is not on his way to Jerusalem to receive the kingly power; for that, he must go away and only after returning from the distant country (a reference to the parousia) will reward and judgment take place.
* [19:13] Ten gold coins: literally, “ten minas.” A mina was a monetary unit that in ancient Greece was the equivalent of one hundred drachmas. (Luke, CHAPTER 19, n.d.)
Joan Blandin Howard reflects on the Gospel from Nov 21, 2023.
Don Schwager quotes “Talents are divine gifts given to the faithful,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"To those who believe in him, the Savior distributes a variety of divine gifts. We affirm that this is the meaning of the talent. Truly great is the difference between those who receive the talents and those who have even completely denied his kingdom. They are rebels that throw off the yoke of his scepter, while the others are endowed with the glory of serving him. As faithful servants, therefore, they are entrusted with their Lord's wealth. They gain something by doing business. They earn the praises due to faithful service, and they are considered worthy of eternal honors." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 129) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31 asks how do we embrace the long view of salvation while enduring our own hardship and suffering? It can be hard to picture ourselves sharing victory with Jesus! But those are the times when we need to pursue the Lord even more persistently.
Jesus knows your needs. Even now he is interceding for you before the throne of his Father. Take courage and let him strengthen you to face whatever this day brings.
“Jesus, I trust in your resurrection!” (Meditation on 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that 2 Maccabees continues the theme of witness to the faith through martyrdom. 2 Maccabees, written in Greek and expressing the belief in the resurrection of the body, is not included in the Jewish or Protestant Canon. Friar Jude notes that the Parable of the ten gold coins in Luke contains the same message as the talents in Matthew about using our talent and abilities for the sake of the Kingdom.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces writer and speaker Diana Butler Bass who describes how the great chain of being has evolved into a great web of belonging. She suggests that God’s original relationship to creation is one of loving intimacy.
Throughout all major world religions is a subtext of this alternative, the insight that creation is not bound by a divine hierarchical order but is, instead, a circle or dance or tapestry, where God, humanity, and nature participate together in community. Indeed, the ancient biblical creation stories relate a tale of intimacy between God and the world, an intimacy that becomes broken but that nonetheless is the primary relationship between God and creation from the beginning. Religion, with its cycle of rituals based upon Sabbaths, months, and seasons, was intended to reconnect God with humanity and nature.…
The shift from God at the zenith of the great chain of being toward God with us in a great web of belonging is the heart of today’s spiritual revolution.… The great web is the woven world of the planet and the people and the God who dwells therein. (Rohr, 2023)
Our investment of time, treasure, and talent in living as servants of Christ will include obstacles and difficulties in which we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/19?11
Meditation on 2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/22/834728/
Psalms, PSALM 17. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/17?1
Rohr, R. (2023, November 22). A Web of Belonging — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-web-of-belonging/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). They Did Not Want Me to Reign over Them. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov22
2 Maccabees, CHAPTER 7. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2maccabees/7?1
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